First subtyping of Blastocystis sp. from pet rodents in southwestern China

Chai, Yijun; Deng, Lei; Liu, Haifeng; Yao, Jingxin; Zhong, Zhijun; Fu, Hualin; Shen, Liuhong; Zhou, Ziyao; Deng, Junliang; Hu, Yanchun; Peng, Guangneng

doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.01.012

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…In this study, ST4 and ST17 were identified in rodents, corroborating previous data on pet rodents in Sichuan Province [ 54 ]. ST4 was originally isolated from a healthy Wistar rat in Singapore [ 55 ], and rodents were proposed to be a main reservoir of ST4.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

First identification and molecular subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in zoo animals in southwestern China

et al. 2021

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Background Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic protozoan that parasitizes many animal hosts and the human gastrointestinal tract, and its pathogenicity is controversial. Captive wildlife may be potential reservoirs for human infection with Blastocystis sp. The present study was performed to investigate the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. in zoo animals in Sichuan Province, southwestern China. Methods A total of 420 fresh fecal samples were collected from 54 captive wildlife species in four zoos in southwestern China between June 2017 and September 2019. The prevalence and subtype (ST) genetic characteristics of Blastocystis sp. were determined by PCR amplification of the barcode region of the SSU rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis. Results Overall, 15.7% (66/420) of the animal samples and 20.7% (14/54) of the species tested were shown to be infected with Blastocystis sp. The highest prevalence of Blastocystis sp. was found in Panzhihua Zoo (24.3%), which was significantly higher than that in Chengdu Zoo (6.9%), and Xichang Zoo (2.9%) (P < 0.05). There are also significant differences in the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. among different species (P < 0.05), and the highest of Blastocystis sp. prevalence was observed in white-cheeked gibbon, black great squirrel, and red giant flying squirrel (100%). Subtype analysis of Blastocystis sp. revealed nine subtypes, including six zoonotic STs (ST1-5, and ST8) and three animal-specific STs (ST10, ST14, and ST17), with ST17 as the predominant subtype (26/66) in Blastocystis sp.-positive isolates. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report on the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. among captive wildlife in zoos in southwestern China. This study highlights that these animals may serve as reservoirs for human Blastocystis sp. infections.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

First identification and molecular subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in zoo animals in southwestern China

et al. 2021

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“…Concerning brown rats, the recorded prevalence of 15.8% was in line with that reported from previous surveys on rodents, ranging from 8.4% to 45.9% [ 52 , 53 ]. The large number of positive brown rats, synanthropic animals that share spaces with humans and contaminate the environment with faeces and urine, strengthens their role as potential reservoir hosts for Blastocystis sp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

First molecular subtyping and phylogeny of Blastocystis sp. isolated from domestic and synanthropic animals (dogs, cats and brown rats) in southern Iran

et al. 2020

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Background Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protist that infects humans and many animals globally. Thus far, 22 subtypes (STs) have been identified in mammalian and avian hosts. Since various STs are common to humans and animals, it was suggested that some human infections might arise from zoonotic transmission. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the presence of Blastocystis sp. in domestic (dogs and cats) and synanthropic animals (rats) of Fars Province, Iran, and to genetically characterize the samples. Methods A total of 400 fresh faecal samples from 154 dogs, 119 cats, and 127 rats were inspected by direct microscopy, Wheatley’s trichrome staining, in vitro culture, and 18S rRNA gene nested-PCR. Finally, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Results Out of 400 samples, 47 (11.8%) and 61 (15.3%) samples were detected as positive by direct wet mount and culture, respectively. Molecular analysis detected a larger number of positive samples ( n = 70, 17.5%): nested-PCR showed that 29 (18.8%) dogs, 21 (17.7%) cats, and 20 (15.8%) rats were infected by Blastocystis sp. Sequence analysis of positive samples indicated the presence of zoonotic STs in all investigated host species. Specifically, ST2 (allele 9), ST3 (allele 34), ST4 (allele 94), ST7 (allele 99), ST8 (allele 21), and ST10 (allele 152) were detected in dogs; ST1 (allele 2), ST3 (allele 34), ST4 (allele 94), ST10 (allele 152), and ST14 (allele 159) were detected in cats; and ST1 (allele 2), ST3 (allele 34), and ST4 (allele 92) were detected in rats. Conclusions Our data suggest that domestic dogs and cats can serve as possible reservoirs for in-contact humans, especially those who handle shelter-resident and client-owned animals. Moreover, rats as synanthropic animals can function as a potential source of human infections. Conversely, humans can act as a source of infections to animals. These results should be reinforced in future molecular epidemiological studies.

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“…Chilomastix mesnili is considered a non-pathogenic parasite, but it is rarely mentioned on this type of studies [ 33 , 43 ]. Blastocysts hominis has been more recently referred as a potentially pathogenic species commonly detected in immunocompromised individuals and associated with a variety of human gastrointestinal disorders [ 47 ]. The appearance of this parasite associated with fresh food was for first reported in Italy in ready-to-eat mixed salads (0.5%) and recently in Syria in lettuce from different markets (30.8%) and in Brazil in lettuce (15%) and coriander (19%) from markets and supermarkets [ 5 , 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Intestinal Parasites of Public Health Significance in Fresh Horticultural Products Sold in Maputo Markets and Supermarkets, Mozambique

et al. 2021

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(1) Background: Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium are important neglected parasites associated with diarrhea, such as the emerging Enterocytozoon bieneusi. All three are foodborne parasites raising concerns in public health. This study intended to understand the intestinal parasite occurrence with emphasis on G. duodenalis, Cryptosporidium, and E. bieneusi in fresh fruits/vegetables sold in the main municipal markets of Maputo city, Mozambique. (2) Methods: A total of 321 fresh horticultural products were purchased in the rainy and dry seasons (five markets/two supermarkets/one agricultural zone). Light microscopy (LM) and PCR analysis were performed. (3) Results: By LM and/or PCR, 29.3% of the samples presented at least one parasite (rainy season: 22.9%; dry season: 35.1%). The most contaminated horticultural products: collected in dry season, from Zimpeto and Fajardo markets, lettuce and pointed white cabbage. Overall, 3.7% of G. duodenalis, 1.3% of E. bieneusi, and other intestinal parasites (pathogenic and non-pathogenic) were identified. (4) Conclusions: Important pathogenic intestinal parasites were identified in fruits/vegetables commercially purchased in Maputo City. This fact must be taken into consideration when planning the management of these horticultural markets, in order to reduce the risk of contamination of fresh produce by intestinal parasites, and to prevent foodborne diseases.

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First subtyping of Blastocystis sp. from pet rodents in southwestern China

Cited by 23 publications

References 51 publications

First identification and molecular subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in zoo animals in southwestern China

First identification and molecular subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in zoo animals in southwestern China

First molecular subtyping and phylogeny of Blastocystis sp. isolated from domestic and synanthropic animals (dogs, cats and brown rats) in southern Iran

Occurrence of Intestinal Parasites of Public Health Significance in Fresh Horticultural Products Sold in Maputo Markets and Supermarkets, Mozambique

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